Salaam is the Arabic equivalent of Shalom. It means to be safe, secure, forgiven and more. It is a personal commitment to the attitude, action, and transcendence of Peace. Its root is translated to mean

"one who submits to God".

How ironic that from that region of the world fraught with continual conflict, the Hebrew word

shalom

and the Arabic equivalent

salaam

, speak of peace and well being of every kind, on every level, to the individual and society, peace with God and with others.

The journal page above went through a major transition. I did a demo in a workshop of a gel transfer on top of a Citrasolv transfer of music on the background. Later I decided I didn't want the transfer there and worked to take it off. It ripped the top layer of part of the watercolor paper. It looked ruined. I showed the people in the class, because I think it is good to show when things go wrong and explore the options of what to do about it. I had no idea how it was going to be redeemed, so it went into "time out" for a day or two and then I came back to it. I cut text in strips and glued them down across part of the middle of the page. I cut and tore some random rectangles of blue and aqua painted tissue paper we had painted in class.

I cut circles of painted tissue paper and glued them down with matte medium.

Afterwards, the page was given a coat of matte medium and allowed to dry. Then I gave nearly the background part of the page a light wash of Titan Buff. It looked better already. Torn map was glued to the bottom edges. Then I drew sketchy outlines of smaller circles with a micron pen and later painted and tinted the circles with light washes of acrylic color. The page is redeemed, even one of my favorites with the "history" showing through.

Pereq-ha Shalom in Hebrew means "the name of God is Peace." Shalom is found in the manifestation of God's presence spiritually and physically. The related word Shulam means "to be fully paid" implying that peace has its price. For me, this points to Jesus who paid the ultimate price that I may have Peace with God and others.

Two years ago I was shown a

Shalom Prayer (click here for a link to the website)

shared by the Maranatha Community. In 2010 I used it every day for two or three months and revisit it when prayer seems challenging or I feel a bit "dry". It has been so instrumental in helping me press into intimacy with God, truly believing He loves me. Here are the first two sections:

A Shalom Prayer

"I come as myself.

Just as I am.

This moment.

My feelings, my fears

my joys, my sadnesses.

You see me as I really am

You know me

through and through

You see all,

all that I am

or ever have been.

Every experience in my life is laid before you.

Every image I have seen,

each touch,

each sensation

every word I have ever heard or spoken

each word,

each idea,

each thought which is imprinted in my soul

and is known to you.

You know me better than my closest friend

You know me better than I know myself

You know...

and because of who I am

and in spite of what I am - You love me.

I am of inestimable value to you

You love me through and through

nothing, nobody can remove me from your love.

Nothing,

nobody can separate me from

your love

or your presence.

"

Shalom, a Visual Word Journal, Part 2